Convoy's abrupt shutdown was one of many difficult layoffs this year.
Photo courtesy Convoy
Many Puget Sound-area companies have made deep job cuts this year.
From small startups to tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft, companies of all sizes laid off workers in 2023. It's a trend taking place against the backdrop of a market downturn and venture capital drying up.
The Business Journal has compiled a slideshow below of the most notable tech layoffs of 2023. The list, while not comprehensive, gives a snapshot of layoff headlines that have dominated the year.
2023 tech layoffs
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F5
Seattle-based cybersecurity company F5 laid off over 740 workers this year across two rounds of cuts. The company employs about 6,400 people total.
Seattle-based cybersecurity company F5 laid off over 740 workers this year across two rounds of cuts. The company employs about 6,400 people total.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Bungie
Bungie CEO Pete Parsons took to social media in October to announce layoffs at the Bellevue-based gaming studio. Bungie, which has more than 1,590 employees listed on LinkedIn, didn't say how many employees were laid off or how many remain at the company, though 100 workers were reportedly affected.
Bungie CEO Pete Parsons took to social media in October to announce layoffs at the Bellevue-based gaming studio. Bungie, which has more than 1,590 employees listed on LinkedIn, didn't say how many employees were laid off or how many remain at the company, though 100 workers were reportedly affected.
SOPA Images
Convoy
Seattle-based freight network startup Convoy shut down in October following four rounds of layoffs after reaching a $3.8 billion valuation in April 2022. The shutdown resulted in 533 layoffs in Seattle, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with Washington state. Logistics company Flexport acquired Convoy's tech and a small team for an undisclosed price in November.
Seattle-based freight network startup Convoy shut down in October following four rounds of layoffs after reaching a $3.8 billion valuation in April 2022. The shutdown resulted in 533 layoffs in Seattle, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with Washington state. Logistics company Flexport acquired Convoy's tech and a small team for an undisclosed price in November.
Photo courtesy Convoy
Expedia
Seattle-based travel company Expedia conducted layoffs in March and September. The company hinted at more layoffs in October when a spokesperson said in an emailed statement to the Business Journal the company is aligning "operations to our business transformation" and that "this may result in the elimination of some roles."
Seattle-based travel company Expedia conducted layoffs in March and September. The company hinted at more layoffs in October when a spokesperson said in an emailed statement to the Business Journal the company is aligning "operations to our business transformation" and that "this may result in the elimination of some roles."
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Amazon
Amazon laid off 2,320 employees in the Puget Sound region in January as part of a companywide wave of layoffs that affected about 27,000 employees between the end of 2022 and 2023. Among the local employees, over 1,850 were based in Seattle and almost 450 were based in Bellevue, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state of Washington.
In October and November, Amazon laid off more employees in smaller batches, concentrated in Alexa and music teams. The company didn't disclose how many employees were affected, but confirmed 180 companywide were included in one of the layoffs.
Amazon laid off 2,320 employees in the Puget Sound region in January as part of a companywide wave of layoffs that affected about 27,000 employees between the end of 2022 and 2023. Among the local employees, over 1,850 were based in Seattle and almost 450 were based in Bellevue, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state of Washington.
In October and November, Amazon laid off more employees in smaller batches, concentrated in Alexa and music teams. The company didn't disclose how many employees were affected, but confirmed 180 companywide were included in one of the layoffs.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Zulily
Zulily is shutting down its local operations, laying off 292 employees in the Seattle area. The company had already gone through multiple rounds of layoffs this year, including one in June just weeks after private equity firm Regent acquired the Seattle-based online retailer for an undisclosed amount. Multiple Zulily vendors have complained about not getting paid, and some sued the company.
Zulily is shutting down its local operations, laying off 292 employees in the Seattle area. The company had already gone through multiple rounds of layoffs this year, including one in June just weeks after private equity firm Regent acquired the Seattle-based online retailer for an undisclosed amount. Multiple Zulily vendors have complained about not getting paid, and some sued the company.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Flexe
Seattle-based logistics company Flexe laid off one-third of its employees in September, but the company didn't disclose how many employees remained after the cuts. In July 2022, Flexe raised a $119 million Series D round and reached a valuation of more than $1 billion.
Seattle-based logistics company Flexe laid off one-third of its employees in September, but the company didn't disclose how many employees remained after the cuts. In July 2022, Flexe raised a $119 million Series D round and reached a valuation of more than $1 billion.
Flexe
Sana Biotechnology
Seattle-based Sana Biotechnology in October announced plans to cut about 29% of its staff, or almost 130 workers, by the end of the year. In a news release announcing the cuts, CEO Steve Harr said the company would increase its focus on oncology, autoimmune diseases and type 1 diabetes.
Seattle-based Sana Biotechnology in October announced plans to cut about 29% of its staff, or almost 130 workers, by the end of the year. In a news release announcing the cuts, CEO Steve Harr said the company would increase its focus on oncology, autoimmune diseases and type 1 diabetes.
Sana Biotechnology
NanoString Technologies
NanoString in October announced plans to lay off about 110 workers by the end of the year. The Seattle-based research device company said the majority of the impacted employees are based in Seattle, and the biggest cuts are to research and development.
NanoString in October announced plans to lay off about 110 workers by the end of the year. The Seattle-based research device company said the majority of the impacted employees are based in Seattle, and the biggest cuts are to research and development.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Microsoft
Microsoft laid off over 2,700 local employees as part of a 10,000-employee workforce reduction in the beginning of the year. In June, Microsoft conducted another round of layoffs, which included 276 in the Puget Sound region, primarily in Redmond. Microsoft disclosed all of the layoffs in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications filed with the state of Washington.
Microsoft laid off over 2,700 local employees as part of a 10,000-employee workforce reduction in the beginning of the year. In June, Microsoft conducted another round of layoffs, which included 276 in the Puget Sound region, primarily in Redmond. Microsoft disclosed all of the layoffs in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications filed with the state of Washington.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Qualtrics
Qualtrics, a customer and employee experience company, laid off about 780 people in October and about 270 people in January. The company, which is dual headquartered in Seattle and Provo, Utah, had 5,500 employees before the October cuts, meaning about 14% of the company was affected by the layoffs.
Qualtrics, a customer and employee experience company, laid off about 780 people in October and about 270 people in January. The company, which is dual headquartered in Seattle and Provo, Utah, had 5,500 employees before the October cuts, meaning about 14% of the company was affected by the layoffs.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Outreach
Seattle-based sales tech company Outreach laid off 12% of its staff, or about 120 people, in September. It was the fourth round of layoffs the company has conducted since August of last year.
Seattle-based sales tech company Outreach laid off 12% of its staff, or about 120 people, in September. It was the fourth round of layoffs the company has conducted since August of last year.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
![Harold Ryan Headshot[2].v1](https://media.bizj.us/view/img/12598807/harold-ryan-headshot2v1*540xx1872-1248-41-0.jpg)
ProbablyMonsters
Bellevue-based gaming company ProbablyMonsters laid off an undisclosed number of employees in September. Harold Ryan, the company's founder and CEO, announced the layoffs in a LinkedIn post, saying the company is "eliminating some central services roles while we continue to support hiring in critical areas."
Bellevue-based gaming company ProbablyMonsters laid off an undisclosed number of employees in September. Harold Ryan, the company's founder and CEO, announced the layoffs in a LinkedIn post, saying the company is "eliminating some central services roles while we continue to support hiring in critical areas."
ProbablyMonsters
Slalom
Slalom laid off about 7% of its 13,000-person workforce, or about 910 people, in September. CEO Brad Jackson said in a LinkedIn post that the cuts were aimed at reducing overlap and initiatives that didn't benefit customers.
Slalom laid off about 7% of its 13,000-person workforce, or about 910 people, in September. CEO Brad Jackson said in a LinkedIn post that the cuts were aimed at reducing overlap and initiatives that didn't benefit customers.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
T-Mobile
T-Mobile laid off 401 workers based in Bellevue in August as part of a companywide reduction that affected 5,000 employees, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state of Washington. T-Mobile had been avoiding the large layoffs that hit its tech peers in late 2022 and early 2023.
T-Mobile laid off 401 workers based in Bellevue in August as part of a companywide reduction that affected 5,000 employees, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the state of Washington. T-Mobile had been avoiding the large layoffs that hit its tech peers in late 2022 and early 2023.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
SkyKick
Seattle-based cloud automation company SkyKick laid off 140 employees, the company confirmed in August, adding to an undisclosed number of layoffs in March. Co-founder and co-CEO Todd Schwartz said in a statement to the Business Journal the company is "steadfastly committed to ensuring our partners' success in the cloud over the long term.”
Seattle-based cloud automation company SkyKick laid off 140 employees, the company confirmed in August, adding to an undisclosed number of layoffs in March. Co-founder and co-CEO Todd Schwartz said in a statement to the Business Journal the company is "steadfastly committed to ensuring our partners' success in the cloud over the long term.”
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Rad Power Bikes
Seattle-based e-bike company Rad Power Bikes in July confirmed it is closing European and U.K. operations starting in 2024, resulting in layoffs for about 40 employees. The company has gone through five rounds of layoffs since April of last year.
Seattle-based e-bike company Rad Power Bikes in July confirmed it is closing European and U.K. operations starting in 2024, resulting in layoffs for about 40 employees. The company has gone through five rounds of layoffs since April of last year.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
TaxBit
Cryptocurrency tax and accounting startup TaxBit in June confirmed it had laid off about 40% of the company, adding to a 15% reduction in December of last year. The June layoffs came the week after the company, which is dual headquartered in Seattle and Salt Lake City, named Lindsey Argalas as CEO, replacing co-founder Austin Woodward.
Cryptocurrency tax and accounting startup TaxBit in June confirmed it had laid off about 40% of the company, adding to a 15% reduction in December of last year. The June layoffs came the week after the company, which is dual headquartered in Seattle and Salt Lake City, named Lindsey Argalas as CEO, replacing co-founder Austin Woodward.
TaxBit
Highspot
Seattle-based sales software company Highspot in June confirmed the company had laid off about 15% of its full-time staff, or roughly 140 employees. The cuts came four months after Highspot laid off about 10% of its staff in February, after which it had 950 employees.
Seattle-based sales software company Highspot in June confirmed the company had laid off about 15% of its full-time staff, or roughly 140 employees. The cuts came four months after Highspot laid off about 10% of its staff in February, after which it had 950 employees.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Flyhomes
Flyhomes, a real estate tech startup headquartered in Seattle, laid off an undisclosed number of employees in June and December. The company has had four rounds of layoffs since July 2022, as it wrestles with a cooling housing market.
Flyhomes, a real estate tech startup headquartered in Seattle, laid off an undisclosed number of employees in June and December. The company has had four rounds of layoffs since July 2022, as it wrestles with a cooling housing market.
Ryan Lambert I PSBJ
Redfin
Seattle-based real estate tech company Redfin laid off 201 employees in April. Redfin laid off about 470 employees in June 2022, which made up about 6% of the company's total workforce at the time. In November 2022, Redfin laid off about 862 employees, or roughly 13% of its staff, and shuttered its home-flipping service RedfinNow, in which Redfin bought homes directly from sellers, did renovations and sold them for a profit.
Seattle-based real estate tech company Redfin laid off 201 employees in April. Redfin laid off about 470 employees in June 2022, which made up about 6% of the company's total workforce at the time. In November 2022, Redfin laid off about 862 employees, or roughly 13% of its staff, and shuttered its home-flipping service RedfinNow, in which Redfin bought homes directly from sellers, did renovations and sold them for a profit.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk disclosed plans in a March filing with Washington state to lay off 86 workers in Seattle. The company also closed its wet-lab activities in Seattle but will continue to have a presence in the city, with a focus on digital therapy, data science and artificial intelligence.
Novo Nordisk disclosed plans in a March filing with Washington state to lay off 86 workers in Seattle. The company also closed its wet-lab activities in Seattle but will continue to have a presence in the city, with a focus on digital therapy, data science and artificial intelligence.
Novo Nordisk; © Martin Nordmark
Bittrex
Cryptocurrency exchange Bittrex, formerly based in Seattle, closed its U.S. operations at the end of April and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. The company in February disclosed it was laying off 83 employees. Bittrex Global shut down and ceased trading activity on Dec. 4.
Cryptocurrency exchange Bittrex, formerly based in Seattle, closed its U.S. operations at the end of April and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. The company in February disclosed it was laying off 83 employees. Bittrex Global shut down and ceased trading activity on Dec. 4.
Illustration by Brooke Timmons/ ABC/ Getty Images
Icertis
Icertis laid off employees in January. The Bellevue-based contract management company didn't specify how many employees were impacted or how many remain at the company, but the eliminated roles were mostly in sales and marketing. CEO Samir Bodas co-founded the company in 2009.
Icertis laid off employees in January. The Bellevue-based contract management company didn't specify how many employees were impacted or how many remain at the company, but the eliminated roles were mostly in sales and marketing. CEO Samir Bodas co-founded the company in 2009.
Anthony Bolante | PSBJ
Broadcom
Broadcom, a semiconductor company headquartered in San Jose, California, will lay off 158 workers in Bellevue starting Jan. 26, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification. The layoffs were disclosed in November, less than a week after Broadcom closed its $69 billion acquisition of Palo Alto, California-based app and cloud company VMware.
Broadcom, a semiconductor company headquartered in San Jose, California, will lay off 158 workers in Bellevue starting Jan. 26, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification. The layoffs were disclosed in November, less than a week after Broadcom closed its $69 billion acquisition of Palo Alto, California-based app and cloud company VMware.
J. Jennings Moss | Silicon Valley Business Journal
Flexport
San Francisco-based Flexport laid off 165 employees in Bellevue in October, according to a filing with the state of Washington. The move followed the ousting of its relatively new CEO, Dave Clark, and an expansion of its Bellevue office. Flexport told the Business Journal that despite leadership changes and the layoffs, it would not reduce its office footprint in Bellevue.
San Francisco-based Flexport laid off 165 employees in Bellevue in October, according to a filing with the state of Washington. The move followed the ousting of its relatively new CEO, Dave Clark, and an expansion of its Bellevue office. Flexport told the Business Journal that despite leadership changes and the layoffs, it would not reduce its office footprint in Bellevue.
According to Seattle-based PitchBook Data and the National Venture Capital Association, local startups have landed $2.7 billion across just under 280 deals during the first nine months of the year. That's well behind the pace of previous years: In 2022, Seattle-area startups landed $7.8 billion across 479 deals, and in 2021 there were $9.2 billion across 494 deals.
The tough environment has even led some local companies to close. Seattle-based freight network startup Convoy co-founder and CEO Dan Lewis in October said the one-time unicorn was shutting down, a move that resulted in 533 layoffs in Seattle, according to a filing with the state of Washington. Logistics startup Flexport in November bought Convoy's tech and hired a handful of its employees.
In December, Seattle-based online retailer Zulily disclosed it was shutting down local operations and laying off 292 workers in Seattle. The company is also facing lawsuits from vendors who allege they haven't been paid.
